Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2016)
6 S moke S ignals NOVEMBER 1, 2016 Former Grand Ronde officer pleads no contest to charges By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor DALLAS — Former Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department K-9 Offi- cer Patrick McConnell pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor counts of tampering with public records and first-degree official misconduct on Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Polk County Circuit Court. Judge Gilbert Feibleman accept- ed McConnell’s plea and found him guilty of the two counts. The state dismissed two other misdemeanor charges – tampering with evidence and false swearing – against McCo- nnell as part of a stipulated plea agreement. Feibleman said that the maxi- mum penalty McConnell was facing was 12 months in jail and a $6,250 fine per count. McConnell agreed to voluntarily surrender his Oregon police cer- tification and was sentenced to probation for 18 months and fined $100 per count, or $200 total. “Yes, sir,” McConnell said when asked by Feibleman if he under- stood and agreed to the plea deal. McConnell, 40, was accused of tampering with evidence on Jan. 23 while he was still employed by the Grand Ronde Police Department when he “unlawfully and know- ingly” concealed a syringe that was considered physical evidence in a drug case. Prosecutors alleged that in the days immediately after tampering with evidence, McConnell made a “false entry in a public record, re- garding evidence found.” The report was entered into the Tribal Police database. The drug case he was work- ing on was submitted to the Polk County District Attorney’s Office and McConnell was the only law enforcement officer to testify be- Chemawa hosting Veterans Powwow SALEM – Chemawa Indian School, 3700 Chemawa Road N.E., in Salem will be holding a Veterans Powwow in its gymnasium with grand entries scheduled for 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. Master of ceremonies will be Marcus Red Thunder and there will be dancing, singing, fry bread, crafts and activities to support Che- mawa student clubs. Admission is free and the public is welcome. Vendors should contact Sonya Olson at 503-399-5721, ext. 1284, or Melinda Puerta at 503-399-5721, ext. 1227. For general information about the powwow, contact Olson. Online degree programs Turn your college credits or associate degree into a more powerful four-year degree from Portland State University. Undergraduate degrees offered: BA/BS in Social Science, BA/BS in Arts & Letters and BA/BS in Liberal Studies. For more information about online degree programs, contact the PSU Salem Center at 503-315-4281. fore a grand jury that eventually charged Lydell Lance Suppah with a count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and giving false information to a peace officer. In March, Marion County Dep- uty District Attorney Jennifer K. Gardiner requested a copy of the grand jury’s notes in the Suppah case because she was investigating whether “false statements were made under oath.” The court documents filed against McConnell alleged that he “unlaw- fully and knowingly” made a false sworn statement regarding the evidence against Suppah and that he knew the statement was false. Records show that McConnell issued Suppah a traffic citation for failure to obey a traffic control device and driving while suspended in January. Tribal Council Chief of Staff Sta- cia Martin issued a statement in July that said: “On Feb. 20, 2016, the Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department received a report al- leging misconduct by Tribal Police Officer Patrick McConnell. Officer McConnell was immediately placed on administrative leave pending investigation of the allegations. An independent investigation of the allegations was conducted by the Oregon State Police with the Tribal Police Department’s consent and full cooperation. Officer McConnell resigned his employment with the Tribe on March 2, 2016. The Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department is committed to ensuring the public safety of the community and the fair and equitable enforcement of the law.” McConnell was one of the first police officers hired by the Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department in early 2013. He worked with Tribal K-9 Officer Nixwa in drug detection for the Tribal police and surrounding law enforcement agencies. He came to Grand Ronde after three years with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. McConnell originally pleaded not guilty to four misdemeanor counts in Polk County Circuit Court on July 7. He was represented by Sa- lem defense attorney Robert Gunn. During the sentencing hearing, Gardiner said McConnell has a job opportunity overseas and that his probation will not prohibit him from taking the position. The most important thing, she added, was that McConnell had surrendered his police certification in the state of Oregon. CTGR Higher Education Program deadlines set There are now only two Higher Education programs depending on whether you are full-time or part-time. The deadline for the Full-Time College program is at least 30 days before the start of classes. The deadline for the Part-Time College program is at least 10 days before the start of class. Visit the Tribal website for more program information and an application. www.grandronde.org/departments/education/high- er-education/ CTGR Annual Fish Distribution Natural Resources Department Fish Lab 47010 S.W. Hebo Road Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 503-879-2424 GRAND RONDE LIVING and ENROLLED TRIBAL MEMBERS Must show current photo I.D. Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 – 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 – 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Elders will have a special line established to expediently fill their requests. To ensure this, only Elder orders will be filled using this line. Thank you for understanding and consideration of others. PORTLAND SATELLITE OFFICE DISTRIBUTION NO PORTLAND SATELLITE DISTRIBUTION If picking up for others, a signed release AND copy of Tribal ID or CIB is required! © Paramount Pictures No early or late pickup Fish will NOT be mailed If you have any questions please call the Natural Resources Department 503-879-2424. DECEMBER 2016 Salmon Distribution Release I give Signature of Tribal member: , Roll Number , permission to pick up my salmon. Date: A copy of Tribal ID or CIB MUST accompany this release. No exceptions! Family Movie Night 11.10.16 5:15pm Tribal Gym Come eat dinner & dessert and watch a movie with Youth Prevention. If you have any questions call Shannon Stanton 503-879-1489 Thank you for respecting our Grand Ronde Community & Culture by not diplaying gang affiliation and by not bringing drugs, alcohol, or weapons to this event.
